How To Travel Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic

After months of self-imposed and enforced quarantine, most people are bored of being cooped up indoors. The urge to shake off COVID-19 cabin fever and visit faraway places is overwhelming. So how can you spread your wings and safely explore the world while countries are still battling with a potentially deadly virus? Here is some useful advice to help you reduce your risk of catching or spreading the coronavirus while enjoying a vacation.

If You're Travelling By Air

Airports all over the planet have introduced a raft of new procedures to keep people safe. Face coverings are mandatory, and you will most likely be interacting with staff through glass shields. Depending on the airline or country, your temperature may be checked, and you may also have to provide proof of a negative PCR test before boarding your flight.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has provided a few safety tips for passengers in airports.

• As much as you possibly can, maintain a distance of 2 meters (six feet) between you and other people

• Avoid contact with people who are sick

• Limit contact with surfaces such as elevator buttons, kiosks and handrails. If you do need to touch these surfaces, wash your hands with a sanitizer afterward.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

How full your plane is will depend on the airline. In this ever-evolving pandemic era, many carriers keep the middle seat empty to allow passengers to social distance while they are in the air. But some airlines are talking about unlocking their middle seats soon.

The risk of contracting coronavirus during air travel is lower than from an office, classroom, shop or commuter train. Planes are kitted out with HEPA filters that catch 99.9% of particles as small as 0.1 to 0.3 microns so they can catch COVID particles. These are 0.1 microns in size, although they usually bind to large particles. Also, air enters the cabin from overhead inlets and flows downward, leaving the cabin at the same seat or nearby rows. There is very little airflow forward or backward. Planes are not the coronavirus hotbeds that some people think. Numerous studies back this up.

Onboard risk can be further reduced by taking the following steps:

• Remain seated as much as possible

• Wear a mask and/or face shield except when eating

• There is likely to be a reduced food and drinks service so bring your own food and snacks

• Use contactless payment.

• If you can, go to the toilet before boarding. This will minimize your movement within the cabin

If You're Travelling By Bus

Taking any form of public transport such as a plane, train or bus means coming into contact with other people in an enclosed space. The longer the journey, the greater the risk of being exposed to the virus. Therefore, follow all the precautions already outlined in this article to protect yourself during travel. So that means wearing a mask and/or visor at all times, minimizing hand contact with surfaces, frequently sanitizing your hands and keeping a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) from others wherever possible.

If You're Travelling By Boat

While many cruise liners remain in their ports, others have set sail again or plan to do so shortly. Cruise ships pose a greater risk of COVID-19 transmission than many other settings because large numbers of people spend a lot of time close together. In the wake of the global health crisis, operators are implementing a wide range of health and safety protocols to make travel across the water safer than it's ever been. These include mandatory mask wearing in public, contactless interactions whenever possible, spaced out tables in restaurants, staggered boarding times and technical improvements such as enhanced air filtration systems. Additionally, passengers are advised to:

• Follow onboard safety measures.

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

• Maintain social distance where possible.

At Your Destination

Once you are in your hotel room or other holiday accommodation, there are additional steps you can take to reduce risk and keep you safe. Clean all touchpoints with disinfectant wipes. This includes remote controls, phones, alarm clocks, cabinets, wardrobes, drawer handles, door locks, information brochures, desk surfaces and light switches. Keep toiletries inside a toiletry bag rather than leaving them on a counter.

Even though studies show coronavirus doesn't live long on shoes and soft surfaces, it's a good idea to set up a decontamination area. Leave bags, shoes and clothes by the door when you return to your accommodation

What To Pack

In addition to all your other holiday essentials, bring extra masks, sanitizing wipes, bank cards, not cash and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Check with your airline about permitted volumes.

Remember, safety first to ensure your vacation is a happy one.